EYE RESEARCHER TO STUDY CATARACTS AND DIABETIC RETINOPATHY

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EYE RESEARCHER TO STUDY CATARACTS AND DIABETIC RETINOPATHY
10 November 2001 - Case Western Reserve University

Ram Nagaraj, associate professor of ophthalmology and pharmacology at Case Western Reserve University's School of Medicine, has received Lew R. Wasserman Merit Award from Research to Prevent Blindness in New York. RPB is a foundation that supports eye research in 55 institutions nationwide.

This award is given to individuals who have made significant contributions and have the potential for future contribution in eye research. The award carries a $55,000 unrestricted grant, which can be used to expand Nagaraj's existing research programs or to start new programs.

Nagaraj works in two areas of ophthalmology: cataracts and diabetic retinopathy. His cataract research is to understand mechanisms by which sugars and sugar metabolites interact with lens proteins. The result of this interaction is that the lens, which is normally soft and transparent, becomes hard and yellow instead, impeding vision.

Nagaraj's research may prove to be applicable to the whole body, as sugars and proteins react to produce yellowing and protein abnormalities in several tissues in the body, including skin, bones, arteries and kidneys. His long-term goal is to develop methods to prevent sugar-protein interactions to inhibit cataract and other age-related complications.

Nagaraj is also investigating how glucose affects retinal capillary cells, especially when there is an abundance of glucose, as in diabetic patients. He is studying how enzymes in the capillary cells cope with high levels of glucose. He theorizes that weakening of enzymes is a key event in the development of capillary abnormalities in diabetes. Diabetics are at high risk for retinopathy, which can damage blood vessels in the retina and lead to blindness.

"This award gives us the ability to expand into other exciting and promising areas of eye research," Nagaraj said.

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About: Case Western Reserve University
The Case School of Engineering, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2005, has distinctive and acclaimed research programs, including biomedical engineering, functional polymers, fuel cells, advanced materials, microgravity fluid flow and combustion, biologically inspired robots, sensors and microfabrication. Research awards at the school have more than doubled since 2001 to nearly $60 million.

Case is among the nation's leading research institutions. Founded in 1826 and shaped by the unique merger of the Case Institute of Technology and Western Reserve University, Case is distinguished by its strengths in education, research, service, and experiential learning. Located in Cleveland, Case offers nationally recognized programs in the Arts and Sciences, Dental Medicine, Engineering, Law, Management, Medicine, Nursing, and Social Sciences.

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